Fiery draft prospect fills massive need for Spurs at pick 14

Looking for a knock-down three-point shooter that can heat up at any moment? I know just the guy.

Monteverde Academy alum Liam McNeeley has the potential to dominate from beyond the arc in the NBA and will be ready to light it up the second he hits the court.

In his freshman year at the University of Connecticut, or UConn, McNeeley averaged 14.5 points, six rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. McNeeley was the driving force for a UConn team that made it to the second round, pushing the eventual champion Florida to the brink.

The freshman carried a lot of weight at UConn

Entering a school that just won back-to-back national championships, you would think that McNeeley would get a considerable amount of support in this freshman year. That was not the case. McNeeley was dealt a poor hand and was thrust into a role that did not suit him.

McNeeley was far and away the best player on his team, but that doesn't mean he should be used as one. He is best in a complementary role, eating off the plates of others. Although he was out of place, McNeeley took advantage of the experience. Even if he won't be overly tasked with extra shots in the NBA, knowing what to do with them is invaluable experience.

While he took his lumps at times, McNeeley displayed a very real clutch gene. He thrives in crunch time and embraces it. You will see him celebrating after every big shot, most notably, with a fake phone to his ear. It is exhilarating to watch his passion; he truly loves the game of basketball.

The Spurs' desperately need McNeeley's shooting

If I had to melt McNeeley's game into one core trait, it would be his prolific jump shot. At UConn, McNeeley made 1.4 threes per game on 31.7% shooting and 2.7 twos per game on 43.6% shooting.
Don't let his numbers in college fool you; he is a bona fide shooter.

Many of his looks were heavily contested, and when he was granted open space, he almost always knocked them down. On unguarded catch-and-shoot threes, McNeeley splashed 43.3% of them. With a clean base and smooth stroke, he is deadly from beyond the arc. In transition, McNeeley could spot up for a jump-shot and cash it quickly.

On the Spurs, McNeeley will become the guard's new best friend. De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle would absolutely love to play with him. He can get open off the ball and can run with them in transition. When the guards or Victor Wembanyama run into a wall at the rim, McNeeley will be there as a consistent kick-out option.

While not his strong suit, McNeeley has a strong push shot to pull out of his bag of tricks when inside the paint. He is not the strongest or most athletic, but he can finish through contact and pick up an and-one. To improve this aspect of his game even further, he will look to bulk up during his offseason workouts.

When the defense collapses, he is a hasty thinker and can rapidly dump off the ball to his teammates. On a team full of speed, McNeeley can be a great decoy and set-up man. With Wembanyama as the nucleus, he knows where the ball needs to be and will continue the play until the ball is in the proper player's hands.

Standing at 6'7" with a 6'8" wingspan, McNeeley has substantial defensive upside but has yet to reach it. He lacks the foot speed and quickness to defend twitchy guards, and when matched up against stronger athletes, he suffers. He shouldn't be relied upon in this aspect, but can hold his own and isn't a liability.

McNeeley fills a major lineup hole for the Spurs

For a 19-year-old, McNeeley is very polished, and it is easy to know what you will be getting out of him. For the Spurs, McNeeley will jump right in as an option at power forward and can contribute from day one.

On a Spurs team lacking three-point shooting, McNeeley would be a godsend. His lack of upside due to his athletic traits prohibits him from being a star, but his ability to take over a game from three has never been more relevant. Look no further than his 38-point outburst against Creighton in February.

As general manager Brian Wright ponders his choices at pick 14, McNeeley needs to be on his radar.